Arundel Bypass option 'outdated, destructive and costly'

13th May 2018

Guest blog - ArundelSCATE Press release 13th May 2018

'Out-dated, destructive, expensive and based on old transport thinking' is how Highways England's preferred route for the new A27 bypass at Arundel, announced Friday, is described by local residents' group Arundel Scate.

The group will be joining others to challenge the route proposal which will cut through the South Downs National Park, including wildlife-rich streams, park and ancient woodland as well as Arun Valley wetland, seriously impacting communities at the villages of Binsted, Tortington and Walberton. Challenges are likely to include a judicial review.

Arundel resident and Ascate member, Simon Rose said, 'it is unacceptable to discount National Park protection, particularly when there are alternative proposals for the A27 at Arundel that meet projected traffic needs and cut congestion, at lower cost, without touching the Park or local people and improve the landscape at Arundel. These are being ignored by HE.'

He added, 'It's as though no-one has learned anything over the years. A massive road here means increased traffic levels across the whole area and more congestion hitting Worthing and Chichester.'

Kay Wagland, Arundel resident and chair of Ascate says the decision contradicts modern thinking on transport and planning guidance. 'We need an up-to-date, joined-up transport approach for the whole Sussex Coast, that supports the South Downs. This is not just for its beauty and rich wildlife, but also as a long term strategy for economic development. We shall be joining with other bodies to fight this nonsensical proposal.'

Arundel Scate is calling for the new independent study, the 'New Transport Vision for the Sussex Coast' to inform sustainable transport improvements along the A27 corridor.

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Notes:

Arundel Scate (Ascate) is a residents group from Arundel and surrounding villages with 250+ listed local supporters. A27Arundel.org.uk, arundelscate@gmail.com

Ascate is a member of the South Coast Alliance for Transport and Environment, the network of community groups and other organisations, from the Sussex Coast, concerned about road and transport plans. www.Scate.org.uk

Option 5A is one of three options consulted on last year. It is four miles of dual carriageway, cutting across Arun Valley water meadows on a raised road from Crossbush, over the River Arun and Ford Road, over fields, hedges, streams and six hectares of Ancient Woodland with rich and rare wildlife and splitting communities at Binsted and at Tortington, before joining the existing A27 at a large, separated (two tier) junction by Yapton Lane.